Community / Proud moment as James leads Delting Up Helly Aa
“IT’S A HUGE community event that means an awful lot to an awful lot of people, so it’s a very proud moment for me and my family.”
That is the message from James Manson ahead of his big day leading Delting Up Helly Aa, as he follows in the footsteps of his dad who was guizer jarl back in 1992.
He is leading a squad of more than 50 folk around the parish today (Friday) in what is the last hurrah of this year’s fire festival season.
Speaking ahead of the event, the 37-year-old builder from Brae said he and his squad had everything prepared well in advance.
It is perhaps quite the feat given he became a dad again at the end of November – and has been building a new family house too.
This weekend he will be going by the name of Thorstein Vigra-Styrsson, with a saga written to tell his story.
He was a son of the legendary Icelandic chieftain Killer Styr “of Harum” Thorgrimsson, who was represented by James’ father Peter in 1992.
James’ large squad of 54 is certainly a family affair, with his dad plus uncles and cousins involved, as well as some on wife Paula’s side too.
He said Delting Up Helly Aa is “deep in the history of the Mansons”.
James first took part in a jarl squad in Delting as part of his dad’s squad in 1992, and has been in many since.
“I’ve been in a ‘squad’ squad every year since 2003, and I’ve built the galley for many years, and done some torch making,” he added.
When asked what some of his highlights will be, the guizer jarl immediately pointed to the visits to schools.
On the itinerary are trips to the Lunnasting, Brae and Mossbank schools.
“For me it’s the schools that’s the biggest part of it, during the day that’s the best community involvement we do,” James said.
“The kids, we need them on board to keep the festival going. That’s something I’m trying in the galley shed as well, just involve the community as best I can.”
For the first time there will also be a community event at the Brae Hall too, between 3pm and 4pm.
Folk will be able to mingle with the squad, while tea, coffee and bar facilities will be on offer as well as a speech from North Mainland councillor Andrea Manson.
The guizer jarl’s galley this year is named after his young daughter Maren who was born at the tail end of last year.
For his squad’s suits, James was keen to stress the term “rustic”.
“I’m not a fan of shine,” he said. “Keep it looking what they might have looked like, or as close as we can.”
It features a dark green kirtle made from Shetland wool, as well as dark grey cloak with Icelandic sheepskin on the shoulders.
There is also dark green and brown leather, with antique brass rings too.
As is the way, it is fair to say the squad has been pretty busy making the suits, particularly due to the numbers involved.
“We took over the galley shed in August and we’ve been two nights a week since then,” James said.
With some people who have never met before spending time together, “it’s been good seeing relationships forming and people getting on with people who never thought they would,” he added.
Music is an important part of Up Helly Aa and for his song, James said he “went through the ringer” with musician and old school friend Robert Balfour, who is part of the squad.
After plenty of time deliberating, they decided on The Darkness’ I Believe in a Thing Called Love – while darts anthem Chase The Sun is also getting an airing too, reflecting Manson’s passion for the sport.
It was an early start for the squad this morning, who met up at the Northern Lights function room at around 7.30am before heading onto the galley shed.
Alongside the school engagements and community hall event are visits to the Nort Haven care centre and lunch in Mossbank with the Sullom Voe Terminal manager, as well as trips to Brae pubs and to Voe for tea.
The procession in Brae will light up at 7.30pm, with the squad and guizers making their way from the hall to the boating club for the galley burning.
There will then be plenty of revelry at halls in Brae, Voe, Vidlin and Mossbank before the near-legendary hop day festivities on Saturday, which includes live music across multiple venues in Brae from afternoon to night.
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